Huntington Learning Center offers back-to-school tips

by jmaloni

Editorial

Mon, Aug 26th 2013 05:55 pm

by Wayne Sutcliffe

Huntington Learning Center

It is back-to-school time, and if your
student's summer has been filled with trips to the pool, hanging out with
friends, television and video games, and other leisurely activities, now is the
time to transition from summer to school mode.

"We always encourage families to relax and
enjoy the less structured pace of summertime," said Wayne Sutcliffe of the
Kenmore Huntington Learning Center. "However, there are several things you can
do toward the end of summer break that are immensely helpful in getting
students ready to return to the classroom."

Sutcliffe offers these six back-to-school
tips:

•Set goals. Goal-setting is a great way to
help your child reflect on last school year and think ahead about what he or
she wants to accomplish and avoid this year. Talk with your child about the
things he or she is excited and anxious about and have him or her set several
goals and measurable milestones. You can do this just before classes start or
during the first week of school.

•Organize the desk and home. Get your
house back into "school shape" by designating spots for important school papers
that come home, a family calendar, backpacks, shoes and jackets, and a homework
station. Your child's homework station could be a desk in a bedroom or other
room. Make sure it is stocked with the supplies he or she will need for the
school year, and have your child help get the space ready.

•Re-establish a schedule. Talk with your
child about the school-day routine, including wake-up time, school hours,
homework time, dinner time and any extracurricular activities in which he or
she will participate during the week. In the week or two before school, try to
have your child go to bed and wake up at approximately the same times as during
the school year.

•Review schoolwork and information. Being
prepared will help your child ease into the first weeks of school. Review
assignments, spelling words and other work from the previous school year. Amp
up the reading these final few weeks of summer. And find out as much as
possible about what is to come: your child's teacher, class schedule, classroom
locations and more.

•Set a positive tone. A child who
struggled last year might dread going back to school, so it is important to
help him or her get into the right mind-set for school success. Let your child
know that you are there to support him or her no matter what. Talk about things
he or she is looking forward to this year - and offer ideas if he or she needs
some encouragement - and point out some of the good parts of last year. Be
optimistic and encourage your child to embrace the same outlook.

•Arrange for tutoring help if needed. If
last year was difficult, don't wait to reach out for help this year. Help your
child build his or her skills, preparedness and confidence with a customized,
one-to one tutoring program.

Call Huntington Learning
Center of Kenmore to discuss your child's needs and schedule a diagnostic
evaluation before the new school year begins. For more information, contact
Sutcliffe at 716-873-4565, email [email protected]
or visit www.huntingtonhelps.com.